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Blues Salute Tkachuk After Friday's Game

by
Chris Pinkert
/ St. Louis Blues

Keith Tkachuk played his final game in St. Louis on Friday vs. Anaheim. The 19-year NHL veteran announced he would retire at the end of the season, which concludes Saturday in Nashville. (Getty Images).

Tkachuk finishes his 19-year NHL career with more than 1,202 games played, 538 goals, 527 assists and 2,219 penalty minutes.

"It is difficult but it's been a long run. I've enjoyed every team I've played for," Tkachuk said Wednesday during a first period television interview on FS Midwest. "I owe everything to the game of hockey.

"I had a great run here in St. Louis. I think the one thing I'm most proud of is the fact that I'm going to retire as a Blue."

With friends and family in attendance, Friday's game marked Tkachuk's final game in St. Louis.

"I knew the fans would give him an unbelievable send off and he's such a great guy," said goalie Chris Mason. "I feel real fortunate that I had a chance to play with him."

Said David Perron, "(My first year), he got on me for making sure you do everything as a professional hockey player. He was trying to get me started off the right way and I'm really glad I got to play with him.

"I'll miss him a lot."

In addition to Tkachuk's farewell to St. Louis fans, the team randomly selected fans to go to ice level after the game and get a game-worn jersey directly from a Blues player. The "Jerseys Off Their Backs" promotion was sponsored by Verizon Wireless, who presented the Fan Appreciation Game.